Skyforce Soar Past Jam in Season Finale

(Bakersfield, Calif. – April 3, 2010) — With the Skyforce likely locked into the fourth seed for the NBA D-League playoffs and the Jam out of contention, not much was at stake in the teams’ final meeting and both squads rested major contributors as Sioux Falls ran away with a 112-95 victory over Bakersfield.

After a back-and-forth first quarter that saw a tie and four lead changes, Sioux Falls pulled out to a double-digit lead in the second and never relinquished it. The Jam, playing with only seven healthy bodies as both Reece Gaines and Brian Butch missed the game, were unable to match the depth of a Skyforce team that looked sharp in what amounted to a tune-up for their upcoming playoff series, likely against the Dakota Wizards.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the matchup was Skyforce center Greg Stiemsma’s attempt to set the NBA D-League’s All-Time Single Season Blocks record, as he entered the day one block behind Red Claws big man Kurt Looby. After Looby posted ten rejections in Maine’s loss to the Erie BayHawks, Stiemsma (23 points, 13 rebounds) posted an ordinarily impressive seven blocks to finish in second place for the all-time and season high.

Jeremy Wise played one of his best games for the Jam, scoring a game-high 29 points on 12-for-22 shooting and adding 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Reserve guard John Williams also played well to finish with 14 points, 3 assists and 2 steals despite foul trouble that limited his minutes.

Joe Krabbenhoft fell just three assists short of a triple-double in his second straight standout game for Sioux Falls, finishing with a team-high 25 points to go with his 13 rebounds and seven assists. Minnesota Timberwolves assignee Nathan Jawai was productive in his 19 minutes off of the bench, scoring 11 points and grabbing seven rebounds.